“I visited Mr Grindlay in person and discussed his concerns and the problems he has been having. I provided realistic aims to deal with the issues and relevant contact details so we can keep in touch to monitor how things progress.”

If anyone else is experiencing similar problems the phone number to contact or leave a message for the local Community Action Team is 0845 4586370 (a member of the team will return your call as soon as they are available).

The number to report a non-emergency crime or incident is: 0845 4580000.

Further details can be found on this website under:
Information > Village Facilities >Local Police

Dear Chief Superintendent Garrihy,

Re. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, Haslington

I am a retired Sergeant in Cheshire Police. I never thought that I’d be writing to the police or be a victim of anti-social behaviour. However, I am and feel I need to bring this to your attention.

I have lived in Haslington for 5 years. When I moved here, I believed that I was moving to a good area. How wrong I was. I have been aware of large groups of youths parading around the village for some time. They must intimidate local residents, particuarly the elderly.

My property is adjacent to a footpath between housing; which is at the top end of West Street. For some reason, this is a meeting place for local youth. The border of my property consists of wooden fencing. I have now had to repair/replace 6 panels over the past year.

Just before Christmas, I heard crashing to rear of my property. I looked outside to see one of the panels lying on its side, having been obviously kicked and pushed out of its posts. There were 6 youths the other side laughing who then bravely ran away down West Street. I had had enough and went in pursuit of them. I was unable to catch them but they were aware of my presence. I’m thankful, now, that I didn’t reach them because I’m afraid of what I might have done.

Last night, 7th January, I heard voices outside my kitchen window and saw at least 10 youths the other side of the fence. They were pushing the same fence panel out again. They then started throwing snow balls at my windows.

This is affecting my health. I cannot relax anymore in my own home. I never realised what it is like to be a victim. Ironically, there was a documentary on television last night about this sort of behaviour, how it affects peoples’ lives. It is now the greatest concern for the public, above all other crimes.

I have tried to deal with it by ignoring it. But, why should I? I am a law-abiding citizen who pays all my taxes. I am seriously thinking of selling my house. This is wrong because the “yob culture” we now have has won. Part of me wants to take the law into my own hands to achieve justice, but, of course the victim then becomes the criminal. There have been so many tragic recent cases where decent members of the public have suffered with tragic consequences in these matters.

Is Haslington policed on-demand? I never see a uniformed officer or a PCSO. Is anyone directly responsible for the village? I cannot be the only victim and wonder if this is an issue you are aware of. In my time as uniformed Sergeant, I adopted a zero-tolerance to anti-social behaviour and achieved positive results.

For me the answer would be a uniform presence and contact with groups of youths in order that message can be spread. The prime time for their activities is between 6 and 9pm. One wonders what their parents would think of all this.

I do hope that you can delegate this matter to an Inspector for appropriate and positive action.

Yours sincerely,

David R M Grindlay